gOS 3.1 Gadgets

For those who do not follow Linux, gOS 3.1 Gadgets is a Linux operating system somewhat similar to Apple's OS X. It is not a copy of the Apple OS, rather it has some of the same design elements. It runs very well on older computers which are not candidates for newer versions of Windows. It even includes a program called Wine, which can run many applications made for Microsoft Windows.

Best of all, it comes as a LiveCD which means that you can boot the computer to the CD, and run the OS from there without changing anything on your PC. If you do not like it, you can remove the CD, and reboot you machine as normal. If you do like it, and want to replace your old OS, it has a very simple install routine which takes approx. 15 minutes. It can also install itself beside the old OS, so you can still use that if need be. Easy to use? You be the judge.

A short while back, a friend was over visiting and noticed gOS 3.1 Gadgets running on my spare PC. I was just testing it out as I often do with newer Linux distributions. After playing around with it for 10 minutes or so, my friend asked me to sell him the machine. It was apparently "a billion times faster than their aging iMac". They still had one of those space ship looking models where the monitor hangs from a swing arm. And, my machine was priced right at $200.

At any rate, after a few weeks, I was informed they needed yet another machine. I had just built a MiniITX Atom box as a replacement spare, so I loaded up gOS, and drove it over. It seems their 3 year old daughter had taken over the other machine. Her daily ritual is to turn the "puter" on before going to "school" so she can water her "puter's flowers". The "puter" is then turned off so "the flowers can sleep" while she is away.

Upon returning from school, the "puter" is back on so the flowers can watch her play the "colored balls game"(aka Same Gnome). And, a few times a week when daddy is not too tired, she has to sit in his lap so they can play the "picher game"(aka Mahjongg). My friend has since downloaded several of the educational titles available for Linux, and the kid loves them.

All I can say is that if you hear about a 4 year old hacking into the Pentagon's computers in the near future, remember you read it here first! : )